RI.org Forum Index RI.org
Insanity on a Random Basis
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups 
 ProfileProfile   You have no new messagesYou have no new messages   Log out [ Alice ]Log out [ Alice ] 

Rurouni Taikai SaGa: Afterparty! PARTY HARD!
Goto page Previous  1, 2
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    RI.org Forum Index -> Epilogues
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Magus
samurai pirate pimp


Joined: 28 Nov 2002
Posts: 539
Location: Humphrey's Peak

PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Cyan Garamonde – End

Finale

And it was over – the Lord of Hell had been defeated by the combined effort of the five warriors. Well, not all five – Cyan, Keitaro, Nova and Asuka were killed by the demon and Shizumaru, in a desperate attempt, managed to free Amethyst – the powerful mage whose body the demon had taken over – and save the multiverse yet again. The retainer still wasn’t quite used to the lighthearted atmosphere from the hotel the contestants were in and touched his chest from time to time, to feel if it was still there – his body was, after all, cut in half by the demon’s blade, and was restored by Amethyst shortly afterwards. He remembered the pain he felt as the blade sliced his body in half, shattering bones and destroying his organs in its wake, followed by nothingness. At first, he refused to accept the fact that he was dying, but it shortly changed to a completely different feeling – one of ultimate bliss and comfort; the last thought that went through his mind as his limp body fell to the bloody ground and tears ran across his cheeks.

He smiled. Now, he was alive – he could almost feel life’s breath as Amethyst reconstructed his body and bestowed life unto it again, and Cyan accepted. Some say that one of the most traumatic moments in life is the moment you are born – all his muscles contracting and his synapses emitting electric signals; his lungs struggling for air and the blinding white light he saw as he opened his eyes once again, all of that had left a deep mark inside his mind. Before it all he had felt dead on the inside – everything taken away from him; his son, his wife and his beloved Kingdom all gone in the blink of an eye -, but now, it was quite not like that and he felt ready to accept the fact that he was alive and was thankful for that. To receive a second chance was not a common occurrence and he knew that, after all the years he had spent fighting, life was the only thing that’s only yours; the most precious of all things and the rarest of gifts.

Cyan smiled as he watched John go back to his home world and fight the Covenant, holding the deactivated plasma sword tightly in his hands – unfortunately, for Cyan, he didn’t have anything to give the Spartan to at least remember the time the two fought together, but he didn’t have many possessions and the only thing he could have offered the seasoned soldier was his friendship and trust – and strode around the hotel lobby where most of the contestants were, looking for some familiar faces to bid farewell to since Cyan had to, after all, return to his own world and help his allies defeat Kefka and restore its balance before it was too late – but he still has a couple of minutes to spare, after spending a week fighting, it would be rude to leave without saying goodbye to the people he had met there, and that taught him a lot even if a little bit.

“Sir Shizumaru.”

The knight said as he young samurai entered the lobby coming out of the casino – Cyan didn’t actually meet or talked to the young Japanese man, but he knew the darkness within his heart all too well, not to mention the two had fought the Lord of Hell together, which meant the two had been, at least, allies -, the same gentle eyes he had met when he fought Ameki, Shizumaru’s inner demon, whom the samurai was barely able to restrain due to the dark powers of the Muramasa.

“Oh… Sir Cyan. I’m glad to see you’re fully recovered.” The redheaded samurai nodded. “I’m getting ready to leave, though. There are people that need me in my world.”

“I fully understand, Sir. I am getting ready to leave, as well. I have unfinished business in my world and people to take care of. I only wanted to bid farewell to some people before I left.”

Shizumaru’s lips parted in a faint smile and he nodded again, and so did Cyan. Again, the azure knight had nothing to offer the young samurai, and got ready to leave and let the spiky haired warrior return to his world, but was stopped as he turned around to enter the casino.

“Sir Cyan… there is one thing I’d like to ask you before we part ways.” Shizumaru softly said as the azure knight turned around to face him once again. “I’d like to apologize for what I did a few days ago. It’s hard to explain, but I know you’ve suffered a lot from my mistake.”

Cyan nodded and smiled – he knew perfectly well what Shizumaru was talking about, but never really felt as if it was the samurai’s fault, being more inclined to believe that what had happened was something out of anybody’s control and that it was something it had to happen; there was no way out. Ameki had, indeed, left deep marks not only in his body, but also in his spirit, although in the end, it all helped Cyan to fight his own demons (and inner demons was a subject in which Cyan was all too familiar with).

“There is no need for apologies, Sir. What happened was unfortunate, but it was out of your control. Be glad that both of us are alive here today. Even if it was a part of you I was fighting against in that place, I don’t consider you to be my enemy. On the contrary, that fight taught me many things and helped me better my skills as a swordsman and to fight my own demons.”

Shizumaru nodded.

“I’m glad. Unfortunately, in the two times we meet in the past week, we were too busy fighting to learn from each other… I have participated in these events a couple of times, and I have met several people – friends and enemies alike – and I’m glad you count me as an ally, for I most certainly consider you one.”

“Worry not, young lad.” The azure knight interrupted. “These events belong to the past. For now, rejoice, for you have emerged victorious on the battlefield and that is what matters the most now. Rejoice in this moment of glory, for the path of the warrior is filled with grief and suffering and occasions like these, where you can rest and smile are rare. If anything, the only thing I can say to you, given my years of experience, is that you should never let the sword take over. The sword is the spirit of the samurai, and it is for your hands and heart to guide them, be it for evil or good – your heart may be tainted with darkness, but I can see it your eyes that your spirit is pure. Hold on to that innocence even at the darkest of times.” Cyan chuckled, then added as he saw Shizumaru’s serious expression. “Please, forgive this old man for his ramblings, I have yet to learn to control my tongue.”

“It’s alright, don’t worry about that. I’ll try and follow your advice.” The samurai nodded politely. “The Muramasa’s influence is hard to fight against and I have seen many men fall by its bloody blade, but I am willing to take this chance to protect those I love.”

Cyan smiled and bowed deeply without saying a word – deep inside, he knew that Shizumaru was very familiar with all the things the knight had just said, and he felt happy to know that the young man was well aware the danger that the cursed sword meant for him. The two parted, without saying a word – the knight had one more person he’d like to meet before leaving, and after hearing a loud noise coming from within the casino, he knew where to find said person – and the loud curse that followed only confirmed the samurai’s suspicions. Laughing, Cyan walked past a fallen slot machine that was spewing several coins on the ground. Not surprisingly, Red was next to it, fists clenched into fists as he spewed several offenses towards the machine before he noticed that Cyan was observing him.

“Oh, hey Cyan.” The young man said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “Damn machine was cheating!”

“I see you haven’t changed a bit from the last time we met, Sir Red. I came here to say goodbye before I returned to my world.” Cyan smiled as he said it, hoping that Red had learned anything from him, especially after the fight on the castle – hopefully teaching Red a thing or two about controlling his temper as well as a few techniques, which only Cyan knew and wished to teach somebody before he passed away.

“Leaving already? The party has just begun old man!” Red said, slightly disappointed – for him, the party had just begun, but one should note that he was still a young man, not that he didn’t have any responsibilities, far from that, actually, but he was still in the part of his life where energy seemed endless and Red really showed that. Unfortunately, for Cyan, he didn’t have as much energy left for partying and would rather focus on most important matters – not that having fun was any less important, it’s just that he was too used to his military customs to change them now – and couldn’t help but feel a little awkward in the middle of all the celebration (not only that, but he just disliked the whole hedonistic feel of the hotel; he was, obviously, exaggerating).

“Yes. I have to leave – in fact, you’re the last person, aside from Amethyst, that I have come to bid my farewell.” Cyan said in a soft voice. Red kicked the fallen slot machine and walked towards the knight, and the two shook hands amicably – having set aside their differences, after the fight atop the house and after Red had helped him defeat Wrexsoul, the relationship of the two seemed more like a teacher-student one more than ever now. Cyan deeply respected the young man, and hoped Red felt the same – otherwise, he’d just left without saying a word and simply returned home. Truth is, if he hadn’t any problems in his world, he’d probably make his stay longer and take this time to relax a little – but they did talk for a long time before Cyan and Red decided to part ways, and so the royal retainer went to see Amethyst and finally return home – stopping for a quick chat with Lisa and Bud, giving Bud a Hero Ring and Lisa a pack of Tonics, to help them grow some more pumpkins (and to help them with whatever they were planning to do with them, since Cyan thought they were just two innocent children – he was at least half wrong in that assumption).

The Mage was sitting on a chair on the lobby, right in front of the double glass doors that lead the contestants back to their respective home worlds – courtesy of Amethyst’s almost unlimited array of spells -, and next to him, was Ralph, the imp who had convinced Cyan to participate. It’s good to note that Cyan would have never imagined Ralph to be an imp, mainly because in his world imps were different creatures and Cyan had been turned into one many a time before, so he believed he knew a little bit about how they looked like to recognize one from far away. He was wrong, of course, since Ralph lacked the duck beak and wasn’t green and the knight somewhat doubted that a Imp spell would revert Ralph back to whatever previous form he had before – if he indeed had one, of course.

“Sir Amethyst, Sir Ralph.” The knight said, bowing his head lightly, clutching the Yuzurenai Negai’s hilt tight as he did it. “I am ready to return to my home, if you would be so kind as to send me back. I’m afraid I have urgent matters to attend to which I cannot be late.”

The Mage’s blue eyes flickered as the knight said his words, and Amethyst nodded, smiling. Ralph whispered on the Mage’s ear, and the Mage nodded repeatedly as the imp whispered in his ear. Amethyst cleared his throat after Ralph was done, and looking a little embarrassed, started to talk:

“Well… First of all, I am thankful for what you did for me – for all of the multiverse, to be honest.” He started. “However, as Ralph has just told me, it seems that the prize that was promised to you is… well, a little bit hard – if not impossible -, to grant.”

Cyan smiled – he wasn’t considering the prize when he accepted to be a part in this tournament; he knew that what he had been offered something that wasn’t quite palpable since peace of mind isn’t something one gives or finds it anywhere – it’s something that very few have and most will never find. Amethyst coughed, somewhat embarrassed with the entire situation and Ralph shrugged – none were expecting to actually have to give that kind of prize to Cyan, not even Cyan himself.

“I understand it completely. I feel that somehow this ‘prize’ has already been granted to me throughout the journey. As Ralph must have already mentioned, I wasn’t looking for a prize when I agreed to come and I don’t expect anything now – my deed is done, and I am glad to have helped secure your world as well as the multiverse, even if the concept of it still confuses me a little bit. The things I wish the most, I am afraid, are impossible to be granted, even if you are the most powerful magician of this world, for the one thing I want doesn’t exist anymore.”

Amethyst raised an eyebrow, and so did Ralph – not that the two couldn’t imagine what the old knight had in mind, but they were surprised that he still thought of that; thoughts of what had been still echoed loudly inside him, and even after defeating Wrexsoul (an entity created by his shattered self image, that somehow gained a life of its own) he still thought of that, longing for the day he’d be reunited with the ones he loved, even if just for a moment.

“That is the reason why I don’t expect anything.” He continued. “I am, however, expected in another place. If you gentlemen excuse me, I’d like to go home.” And, as he lowered his head again, the mage raised his hand and the knight stopped. Surprisingly, Amethyst was smiling at Cyan.

“Don’t worry, Sir Garamonde. I think you’re putting too little faith in me.” The mage said, pointing to the doors that lead outside. “Your prize is there, waiting for you. We are thankful for your help, Cyan Garamonde.” The mage said as the doors opened.

Cyan turned around without saying a word and walked pass the lobby doors and outside the hotel…

… and nothing. No cloud of white smoke, no bright white light, no sudden change of place. Nothing. He was still in Baccarat, outside the Hotel, looking at the ocean as its waves washed the shore gently as the soothing sound of the ocean echoed throughout the beach; and he was alone. Instead of his azure armor and sword, Cyan found himself in a light robe – much like the ones he used to wear during the most prosper years of Doma, before the Empire destroyed it and before the world was shattered by Kefka’s insane mind. It was a simple robe, nothing really grandiose – it had a pale blue color, almost white, with a white and blue tiger drawn on its back, but the tiger was painted tastefully enough (an old Doma tradition) so as not to seem an excess.

Cyan smiled. It was as if he had gone back twenty years in the past and somehow had ended up on the shores of Baccarat – but Baccarat wasn’t there anymore either. When he looked back, he didn’t see the hotel or anything that resembled the place he was in before – he couldn’t quite tell what lay behind him other than that it was rather dark, but he didn’t feel anything particularly dangerous with the place, only that his heart seemed to be beating faster by the minute. The old knight looked towards the ocean once again, and saw a white outline on the sand, seemingly waiting for him. His heart beat faster and faster as he approached the person – clearly a woman – and his legs seemed to want to fail him as he got closer – heart, legs, arms, eyes… nothing seemed to want to obey his commands -, and his mouth widened as he smiled, recognizing the person who had been waiting for him there. A tall, blonde woman, dressed in a white gown that flickered to the wind as her blonde locks danced on her head; her green eyes seemed to glow in the darkness around them, emitting a warmth Cyan soon recognized and welcomed inside his heart.

Cold airplanes, slow boats, warm trains
Remind me of Jack-A-Lynn.

The sand below his feet was soft as he stepped on the shore (and he soon noticed that he was wearing only sandals, instead of his usual boots), leaving deep footprints in the sand, that were quickly erased by the wind – each step seemed harder than the next, not that he didn’t want to get close to her, he just didn’t know how to; after all this time, he still felt like he had just met her and despite all the battles he fought and the time he spent training, Cyan still had a weakness, and that weakness was her; one that he cherished the most above all things, the person that gave him his only son. But now they were both gone and the knight couldn’t quite answer how she was standing there, waiting for him, smiling, as if nothing had happened and the world belonged only to them – but those questions were soon swept away as his hands touched her face and he felt the warmth of her body once again as his fingers felt her soft skin and touched her blonde hair.

Lush hotels and pretty girls
Won’t cheer the misty mood I’m in.

The two smiled and, without saying a word, wrapped their arms around each other and their hearts got closer, resonating gently as the two reunited after so long – almost an eternity. Cyan’s ponytail billowed to the wind and her blonde hair insisted on hiding her beautiful face. He gently brushed her hair away and their lips touched, as if for the first time. It only lasted a few moments, but for the knight it seemed to have lasted forever and he wanted it to have lasted forever more than anything.
Silly, sad, I’ve never had to write this before,
Oh, Jack-A-Lynn.

Twenty years ago he had set her eyes on her. A young retainer to the King, never failing on his duty to protect the royal family, he never thought he’d have the time for such things – until he saw her one day, looking at the sunrise. The first thing he noticed was how her golden hair seemed to glimmer to the golden light as the sun rose far on the horizon. The then young retainer sat beside her and the two stared at the sky, as the stars slowly faded away in the morning firmament. He asked what her name was, and she answered it in such a sweet and pleasant voice that he felt his heart almost jumping out of his chest as he stared at her – and he only snapped out of it when she started laughing and he soon felt his cheeks turn red. They got married a few months later, and it seemed as if it was going to last forever.

Funny how long nights allow
Thoughts of Jack-A-Lynn.

And their lips separated and he touched his forehead against hers and looked deep inside her eyes. The only sound that they heard was the sound of the ocean; they didn’t say a word. They didn’t need to – they’ve known each other for too long and seemed to know what was on the other’s mind. Cyan knew that it wasn’t going to last, however, even if Amethyst hadn’t told him anything about him – she was dead, and both knew it. There wasn’t a way to bring her back, though the mage had managed to do it for that special occasion, and the knight knew that once it was over, there was no way he could ever meet her again. The two stood there in silence as the moon (it was a full moon) lit the sky above, casting a pale light on the two.

When phantoms tread around my bed
To offer restless dreams they bring

And there they stayed, on the beach in silence. The knight smiled once more, for he knew that he had but a couple of minutes left and, without saying a word, ran his fingers across her face again as if not to forget the moment. She smiled and nodded, holding his hand tightly and let go. The knight turned around and never looked back, for he knew she was not going to be there when he looked, just wanting to cherish this last moment of true peace before the final showdown with Kefka. Suddenly, he stopped and, without turning around, said:

“I love thee, Elayne.”

And the knight continued on and soon disappeared in the darkness around him. The final battle was nigh and he was ready for it.

And it’s just the time and place to find
A sad song to play for Jack-A-Lynn.

~The end. For now.~

_________________


Last edited by Magus on Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address MSN Messenger
Kyo
Descending


Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 427
Location: Indefinite

PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

-placeholder-
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Switchblade
Yuri who?


Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 1243
Location: Cybertron

PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Half-Assed Character Conclusion Post!©

Terry got a really nice ring from Amethyst.

He took it home and proposed to Blue Mary.

She said yes.

Mai did something crazy to try and get Andy to make it a double ceremony.

It didn't work.

Joe did something dumb.

Rikku and Jam pouted over not having made a single cameo in the entire tournament.

Chibi Ashley Riot popped out of a hole in the ceiling and said "Ham!"

Fin
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address
Dareon
DARKNESS


Joined: 08 Jul 2002
Posts: 505
Location: HELL

PostPosted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

As the last contestant faded into mist, Amethyst sighed and sat back in the couch he was on. "That's all of them, correct?"

"Yes sir," replied Ralph, "Roughly 35 lifeforms and related materials. All back to their proper universe iterations. Only one or two more issues remain to be dealt with, for instance..."

"...Your fee. Yes. I'd assume my universe's credits don't have a very good exchange rate."

"That is correct, and the Interplanar Talent Agency does not commonly accept material compensation for services rendered. Your circumstances unfortunately did not allow us to present you with our standard contract, so we had to assume you agreed to all clauses in absentia. This is not the first situation similar to this that we have had to deal with, and the in absentia clause is an accepted measure." He produced a small sheaf of papers from a briefcase. "Here is the contract you technically agreed to. Unfortunately, it is non-negotiable at this time. You may either accept it as-is, or the entire proceeding may be declared null and void. Universal normal values are still retained in our databases, and we can restore these with little difficulty in most cases."

Amethyst scowled and studied the contract. "Client Amethyst-25782, party of the first part... One event lasting not longer than three (3) weeks... Period of service lasting not longer than time spent on event..." He looked back up at Ralph. "I realize I don't have much choice but to accept this, but what form of service is required?"

"Well, the ITA employs its contractees as temporary help in whatever sections they seem most apt for. Occasionally this temporary employment transmutes itself into a full-fledged career. You strike me as Maintenance (Magical) personnel, sir. You would be employed troubleshooting problems in the various magical and psionic devices employed in the ITA offices, including our handheld consoles. With your inherent grasp of dweomer and Alter Reality power, I predict, with a 1.5% margin of error, that your debt will be payed off within two weeks."

Amethyst nodded and read through the rest of the contract, running his thumb along the signature and encoded dataline that indicated that Amethyst-25782 had in fact agreed to the contract. "I have no problem with this contract as it stands, but could you give me a day or so to get things set up to run the Magic Kingdom while I'm gone?"

"Of course, sir."

* One Month Later *

The Magic Kingdom had begun to regain its footing. The surviving mages had begun clearing rubble and rebuilding when Amethyst showed up from his stint at the ITA. The old buildings had been almost completely destroyed, and the new construction would bear little resemblance to what had come before.

* One Month After *

Crystalline towers now reached for the sky, shattering the light into a million rainbows and recombining it into white before it reached the ground, making a city full of color above the streets. In the center of the city, a grand crystal plaza covered a carefully preserved area of rubble, a bronze plaque in the center of the plaza listing the date of destruction. The buildings around the plaza were labelled with the names of the heroes who had lost their lives in the battle with Hell's Lord and the ones who had later opposed the Mage of Hell.

On the 23rd floor of the Doctor Hachirota Nusakan Memorial Center for Magical Study, Amethyst put down the report he had been reading and rubbed his eyes. The last of the creche babies had come out of their tubes last week, and were all showing promising development. Sighing, the Last Magician stood up and turned to the window. Outside, a rainbow danced against the side of the Cyan Garamonde School of Bushido, flickering due to the motions of people on higher floors and in other buildings. A small crystal in a holder on his desk chimed.

"Sir? We've detected an intruder on your floor. We've dispatched a security team..."

Amethyst looked at the intercom. "No need for that, Johnny. How did he, she, or it get in?"

"We... we're not sure, sir. A-are you going to handle them?"

"Of course. This job is boring enough without letting Security do my job for us."

"O-of course, sir. Scans show they're right outside your door."

Nodding to himself, Amethyst closed his eyes for a moment. The milky-white crystal door slid aside...

"Energy Chain!"

The mystic beam splashed harmlessly off an upraised blue-white hand. "Now is that any way to greet an old friend?"

Amethyst's eyes opened, then widened. "Krizak?"

"In the... well, 'flesh' isn't the right term..."

"What are you doing here? I thought..."

"We just dropped in to see how you were doing."

"We...?"

The crystal chimed again. "Sir! Three more intruders detected..."

"I know, Johnny. It's fine. We know them." Amethyst grinned as Kaiki, Miracle, and Kyle appeared behind the dragonboy. "What a surprise seeing you all here! What's the occasion? And... aren't you supposed to be dead or in jail or something, Miracle?"

Miracle laughed and ran a hand through his rippling hair. "I am, technically. I kind of skipped out on my trial, so I'm on the run. I happened to run here and be in the same place as these three. Mr. Crystal here telling me about you had nothing at all to do with it, no way."

Kyle nodded. "Yup! And I didn't ask Miracle to bring me along with him, no sir!"

Amethyst laughed. "And you, Kaiki?"

The girl with feathered ears blushed lightly. "Well, they were all going, and I thought..."

The mage smiled and went to pick the report up off his desk. "I'm glad you came. It was nice to see you all one last time, but we've got work to do and you really should have scheduled with my secretary."

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Miracle sat down on the edge of Amethyst's desk and laid a hand on the report before Amethyst could grab it. "This isn't like you. 'one last time'? Stuck behind a desk reading reports on creche babies? That's not the Amethyst I invited to overthrow the Eternals with me. You're right about one thing, though. You've got work to do."

Kaiki nodded, placing one hand on her chest. "You've always crusaded for environmental preservation. You know there will be more tournaments, you know there will be more destruction. Can you just sit by and let that happen?"

"..." Amethyst blinked.

"How old are you?" Kyle propped his elbows on the top of the desk.

"...Huh?"

"Come on. How old are you?"

"...We're 21. Call it 40 if you add our separate lives together."

"Whoa. I've still got a ways to go before I'm that old, but I sure hope I'm not stuck behind a desk by the time I'm 21. Even a desk as cool as this one." the boy tapped a small executive toy, sending the crystals spiralling around each other.

"Besides," Krizak grinned, light from the rainbow outside turning him purple and green for a moment, "Didn't you have a bit of a goal in mind when you left my influence?"

"...The laws of magic... No, I gave that up. Magic is too varied, you can't overgeneralize it like that. Still..."

Miracle nodded. "More research never hurt anyone. Except for the hot nerdy scientist ladies in several doujins, and I'm pretty sure they enjoyed it anyway." Kaiki blushed bright red.

Amethyst thought for a minute. "You're right. All of you, you're right." He paused. "...But what about my work here? I'm the only extant Archmage of the Magic Kingdom. The rest of the region depends on me for leadership..."

"You can train another one or two, right? Surely you've thought about it and have a few lower mages in mind who would run things smoothly?" Kaiki asked.

"Hmm." The purple wizard moved to a filing cabinet and sifted through a few folders. "I made a note here at one point... Ah, here we are. Yes, she'd do well to run the region while I'm away. She practically does it herself now. Thaumic readings suggest she could be well within the bounds of Archmage level..." He closed the folder and turned to the assembled four. "Thanks. I was missing something, now I know what. I'll need to apply the Archmage test to this one and get her installed, then I'll be out in the multiverse within the week."

"Awesome." Miracle clapped his hands together and then tossed a card to Amethyst. "Look her up first chance you get. She should be able to help with a lot of things. Plus she makes great tea."

Amethyst studied the card and nodded. "Thanks, Miracle. I'll see you guys later, I guess."

* A Few Weeks Later *

A perpetual blizzard howled across the world. On one island, several huts and houses stood, bravely battering back the cold. A robed figure stumbled towards one house in particular. He paused to pull a card out of his robes, looked at it, then knocked on the door.

The woman inside got up and opened the door, revealing a young man shivering in purple robes, icicles forming on the forward portions of his hair. His teeth chattered as he asked, "Qu-Queen Zeal?"

"It's just Zeal now, dear, and come in, quickly, you'll let the Ice Age in. Poor boy, you're dressed so lightly. I'll make you some tea, sit down by the fire over there, get yourself warm."

A few minutes later, the two of them were sitting in armchairs by the fire, Amethyst gratefully clutching his cup of tea. And dripping into it, seeing as the icicles on his hair hadn't melted completely yet. Zeal leaned forward, her blue gown rustling around her.

"Now this is a mystery. You can't be from around here, or else you'd know I live in the middle of an Ice Age. Likewise, you'd be dressed warmer. So tell me, what brings you here?"

"Well, perhaps I should start at the beginning..." For the next half hour or so, Amethyst recounted the major events of his life. Through it all, Zeal listened intently, getting up every so often to refresh their cups of tea. "...So, taking Miracle's advice, we came looking for you, hoping I could learn something from you."

"Hmm..." Zeal thought for a moment. "By all evidence, you're more powerful than I am. I don't see how I could teach you anything new."

"Well, what we need is... control. I mean, if I can do this..." He held up his teacup and stared at it. Nothing happened. "...Odd..."

"You said you could change things with a thought."

"Right. I could wipe out whole regions like that if we weren't careful. We need to learn some control, but it seems my Alter Reality won't work here..."

"Hmm. Well, do some experimenting. If that power is only effective in your own realm, you don't need to worry about it. If you still want to see about getting more control, go see this guy. I don't get out much, but Miracle told me about him." The unthroned queen of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal produced a card from her cleavage and handed it to Amethyst. "His whole race are masters of mental control. Sarek... He's getting a little old, but he may be able to point you to someone who can help."

"The planet Vulcan... All right. Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Please, Amethyst. The realm I ruled sank to the bottom of the ocean. All I am now is a middle-aged woman with a penchant for magic and two missing children. I suppose you should be going. But drop by when you get a chance, I'd like to hear more about your adventures."

"I'll do that, Que- Zeal. Thank you for your time."

* Three Weeks Later *

Podunk, USA. The building known as the Ruffleberg Manor. A man clad in a simple blue shirt and tan pants walks casually up to the massive front door and knocks. A tall, gangly robot answers the door.

"May I... help you, sir?"

"Yes, is Jason in?"

"Who may I say is asking for him?"

"Amethyst."

"...One moment, sir. Do come in, you may wait in the parlor while I see if he is available."

A few minutes later, Jason walked into the parlor and greeted Amethyst warmly. "Amethyst! What a surprise! What brings you here? And... what's with the outfit?"

The mage grinned. "What? Not my style? It's camouflage. I'm a frequent interplanar traveller now. This color and style is the most used in the areas I've been to. If I land somewhere where the dress style is different, though, I have a way of getting access to different outfits very quickly. Here, I'll show you."

Getting up off the chair he was sitting in, Amethyst crossed to a door. He closed his eyes and muttered something, then ran one finger along the doorjamb. A line of blue fire raced around the door, then the door swung open into a bright white space with several clothing racks and cabinets in it. Amethyst beckoned Jason inside and gestured around him.

"My Dimensional Closet. It's technically a subspace bubble in my home universe, created and maintained by the Lord of Hell's powers. We just keep spare sets of clothes and other useful equipment here."

Jason looked around, peeking into a cabinet or two. "Er... Amethyst, is this a Starfleet uniform?" He pointed at a dark gray jumpsuit with a blue section crossing the shoulders.

"Yes it is. We're working on the Preparatory Program to enter Starfleet Academy as a cadet, and that's my cadet's uniform. Admiral Nabeshin gave me a letter of recommendation, so the only problem will be remembering not to use magic. Not many spells work there, so it won't be too hard." Amethyst led Jason back out of the closet and closed the door, opening it again to reveal the hallway that was usually behind the door. Jason frowned.

"Not many spells work there? What do you mean?"

"Just that. I can work my mind through all the convolutions, do everything textbook perfect, and nothing will happen. It's a feature of several universes I've seen. Magic is restricted or even forbidden in some. My Gravity Gate spell will always work, though. I need to be standing in the same spot we came in through in magic-dead universes, though."

"But... We've always been able to use magic on the tournaments. Have they just avoided taking us to magic-dead universes?"

"No, I've been to one or two where magic was nullified on a tournament schedule. But there have been a few restricted-magic universes we've visited and had full magic capacity. We have a theory. It's possible these tournaments bring personal bubbles of our own universes along with us, so our magic will always work, no matter what universe we're placed into. Occasionally a universe's anti-magic field may be so strong it nullifies this, hence the null magic rounds. Alternatively, the host may decide to limit our magic himself and remove our universe bubbles in dead magic areas."

"I've never run into any dead magic universes when I've gone out on my own..."

"What are you using to travel?"

"This." Jason showed the Eternals' passport to Amethyst.

"Hmm... Eternal technology. A couple of theories present themselves..."

"I just had the thought that the passport creates its own bubble of my universe around me when I travel. What other options are there?"

"Well, the simplest one is you haven't been to any magic-dead universes. Another, like you said, is the passport producing its own bubble. A third may be that Alchemy is a multiversal magic type, usable by anyone from any universe. You've taught spells to other people, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Have you gone back to see if they can use them in their home universe?"

"Well, Chumpy probably wouldn't be too happy to see me, I accidentally had him cast Rocket Spring and dumped him into the ocean... The others, though... Maybe. I'll check it out. Hey, come on, I should introduce you to Professor Ruffleberg and the others. Carltron you've already met."

"That sounds great, Jason. Hey, maybe you can help me with this. I'm kind of at a loss for what to do once I finish my Starfleet training and look up this Sarek guy on Vulcan. Any ideas?"

"Hmm..." Jason thought for a few moments and suddenly remembered what had happened to him while trying to retrieve the PERC from Rikku. He winced, but turned to Amethyst. "Why not go see Rikku and Jam? They've set up some kind of multiplanar shop, but I don't think they have any way of restocking. You might be able to help them with that."

"Hum. Not too wild about looking Rikku up again, we kind of stole her clothes at one point."

"What?"

"Long story. Still, it's worth a shot. Thanks, Jason. Now, Professor Ruffleberg, you said?"

"Yeah, I get the feeling you two will have a few things to talk about. This way, he's in the Generator Room."

And so our intrepid heroes set forth on a journey that would change not only their whole world, but also themselves... Wait, I'm reading the wrong script. And so, Amethyst began what would be the glorious career of being an interplanar deliveryman, as was predicted way back in SXIII. Perhaps the other portions of his story shall come out in later tournaments. Or perhaps not. A few floaters never hurt anyone.

Rurouni Taikai SaGa
Starring:


Nicolas Cage as Amethyst
Danny Devito as Ralph
Sean Connery as the Captain of the Thames
Leonardo DiCaprio as Father Rubalkabara
The Rock as Genbu
Bruce Willis as Christopher Stone
Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morag
Christopher Walken as the Mad Hatter

CarlyCheeese as Shizumaru Hisame

Magus as Cyan Garamonde
Moogle as Keitaro Urashima
Helmar as Nova Shido
Seril as Asuka Tachibana

Rain as Drizzt Do'Urden
AsylumXKP as Conker
Peptuck as Master Chief John 117
Simplistic Hero as Queen Brahne
Thirdtwin as Red Okonogi
BlackMage as Edward Wong Hau Pipelu Tivrusky IV
Wayne as Culex
Luna as Lisa
Nif as Bud
San Draco as Darth Malak
Baka as Sora
LordLocke as Jedah Dohma
Procyon as Sly Cooper
Curley W as Jason Soe
Kyo as Akira Kazama

Pin! To Higher Horizons! as Knight Rayjack
Switchblade as Terry Bogard
Tenshi Kain as Piastol and Nosferatu Zodd
Alexander Krizak as Khrima
net-cat as Yoshi
Coin as Bruce Wayne
JSG as Nabeshin
Onyx as Darth Revan

Bugenhagen as Kirby
FnordFromAbove as Toadette
Glinda The Good *itch as AquaMan
and Dry31 as Geese Howard

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has monitored the making of this tournament and assures the viewer that no animals, Holy Beasts, goblins, Porings, Poporings, Jakks, Hodes, Bapho Jr.s, Novices, afros, lizardfolk, demons, Boojums, or Phantasmagorias were harmed in the making of this tournament. Genbu, however, will never be the same.

That's it for me, folks. You've all been a great bunch of participants, and I hope this tournament has been as fun for you as it was for me. Thank you! Goodnight!
_________________

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
CarlyCheeese
Dynamite Ero-Dancer


Joined: 02 Jul 2002
Posts: 1191
Location: Takizawa's Pants

PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Short but sweet.

--

Hisame Shizumaru – Epilogue:1

Having a few shivers in the cold of night wasn’t anything new to Rimururu; especially if you had a crystal of ice, like her Konril, always floating about the place. What was different about the shivers she’d had lately was more related to the death she felt all around her – her older sister was always moaning softly in pain these days, and her eyes held less of the spirited life that had always, always been there. Nakoruru’s undying faith in the strength and power of nature had never wavered, mostly due to the fact that it was what she was wholly devoted to – she had, after all, committed her life to that spirit some years ago. The body of her sister, as she rested in the cover in the forest away from Rimururu’s little makeshift shelter, was merely one extension of her spirit. The rest existed in the world around them.

... Was it her fault for all of this, then? The thought hadn’t quite struck Rimururu as hard as it had before, in that moment. After her sister had given up her spirit to nature, Rimururu was expected to fill the role that Nakoruru had left behind, full commitment to nature and all – but the problem for her wasn’t the level of devotion; she cared just as much about the earth as her sister did. The problem was, she knew there was something else that she cared for just as much as nature – and it was that knowledge that spread doubt within her, made her believe that the screams of heaven and the fate of her village were all her fault... knowledge that made her waver as a maiden of nature.

What level of convincing could tell her otherwise? If there wasn’t a maiden devoted completely to that cause, then evil could seep through the cracks and break it apart; eroding the rock that had existed for milennia. It was entirely possible that she didn’t have the stamina to completely fulfill that role – but who really could besides her sister? As it was, it was impossible for her to commit entirely, but she couldn’t simply let go of him, either –

Rimururu kicked the ground with her toe, knocking a small patch of dirt into the air. It was bad enough thinking that she was the one who let such monstrous evil sink into the planet, but to constantly be compared to her sister – even in her own mind? Nothing about the situation seemed fair at all to the Ainu girl, as much as it ever could be with a sister like hers. Kind enough as people were to her, she always second-guessed them, suspecting that they would’ve rather been consulting her sister on important matters; and to her dismay, sometimes she turned out to be right. It was awfully creepy, having sibling rivalry with, for all intents and purposes, a dead sister.

The prospect of fighting Yuga wasn’t at all something Rimururu looked forward to, but it had to be done – after all, you had to take care of your mistakes, right? And wasn’t this one of hers? It might not have been her that had let him slip through, but the possibility that it was still loomed on her mind; and if it did turn out to be so, then she couldn’t simply leave it alone for someone else to take care of, for there was no one else who could fight. Haohmaru would not be able to help her (Shizumaru and Gohan certainly couldn’t) - Ukyo had been dead for two years – Hanzo would only be willing to help if he was paid to do it; and Jubei only if the shogun sent him out – she didn’t like Galford at all, despite what Nakoruru felt, and she was torn apart by nature’s cries – and Genjuro...? There wasn’t a chance in hell that he’d help either of the sisters, not least herself (that, and he was already kinda scary anyway). She kicked the ground in another minor flash of anger, folding her arms and peering up, bitterly, at the night sky. Was there any way she could possibly be successful – a girl of sixteen, against a sorcerer who had bested even Nicotine? The picture being painted was looking rather blue – and not in the sort of blue in that it was her favorite color, but a depressing shade of failure.

... Even so, she felt sure that she’d be alright, somehow. It hadn’t been for long that she’d had an inkling of a feeling that comforted her as this had, reassuring her that she’d be fine, no matter what her doubts led her to believe. It hadn’t been for long she’d held that within her; maybe only a day or so (five days since Shizumaru had left her in Kamui Kotan; she’d kept track of it)... but it gave her comfort, nonetheless. It was the same sort of peace that she felt when she was with Shizumaru and he held her close; whether simply just his arm around her waist and she at his side, in an embrace with a kiss, or when they shared a bed together – almost as if he’d given her a piece of himself that would keep her heart serene. It was reassuring, at least, that she could have him there, if only in memory.

For the time being, though, she could only look to the stars and hope that they were both seeing the same one, together. How many times had they been stargazing together, enough to pick out a single star in the sky for them to look at when apart? If he was outside as she was, he could surely feel her longing as much as he had his... couldn’t he? She wished that he could be there with her, holding her steady against all of the fears that had been gathering up against her and inside her, but it was impossible – it would be too dangerous for him to even consider it. Maybe the feelings she was having were his blessing – giving her his strength, even though he couldn’t possibly hope to be beside her in such times.

She shivered again – the death of nature around her was still there, but she felt genuinely cold now, only clad in shorts and an even shorter-sleeved top. With one last glance at the star she had held dear for a moment there, she retreated back inside her makeshift shelter, tugging off one shoe by pressing down on the heel with the toes of her other foot, then doing the same for the other. After that, she loosed the string of the necklace that Nakoruru had given her, slinging it to the side along with her other loose pile of belongings. She stopped for a moment, as her hand rested on the end of the blue ceremonial ribbon she wore in her hair –

"Eenkasui wa eenkore kusapo," she muttered a small prayer to her sister (whom she wore the headband in honor for) in her native Ainu tongue, and then slowly pulled on one of the headband’s loose ends, slowly untying one side of the bow, then the other, and finally pulled off the single long ribbon, folding it up solemnly and respectfully. "Ki wa ne yakun... Sapo, eennukare rui wa eenkore."

Her foot knocked a stray twig on the ground, and she gently moved it out of the way with her bare foot, carefully laying down her sacred ribbon among her other belongings. She stood back up, and was about to take off her white vest, but nearly stopped dead at what happened when she did –

"You don’t need to go so fast, Rimu... I like it better when you undress for me slowly."

She could’ve killed him for that one.

Although - when her head slowly turned to face the wielder of the all-too-familiar voice, sitting slack in the corner of her shelter with an arm slung over bent knee, her heart couldn’t help but soften once she saw his face, tired and worn, which wore a smile despite his eyes – he’d been crying about something; the clear streaks through smears of blood told her that much. His clothes as well were stained just as much as his face, perhaps not something even she could wash out, with tears or not. His heart itself felt, to her, as familiar as the sunrise or moonlight – gentle, with the darkness that was his demon surrounding it, but it was a darkness that she knewwouldn’t hurt her. Rimururu faced him, knees trembling, not sure whether to approach him – or even if she could – but her feet were already carrying her towards him, however slowly it was taking.

She didn’t have to walk terribly far, though; Shizumaru had risen to his feet and pulled her close before she really did fall. "You can’t be that weak in the knees to see me, can you? It’s only been about four days since I left – and you lived without me for years before," he teased her, even though she was shaking violently from her emotions. "Ah – Rimu, you know I’m not serious. You know I missed you just as much..."

"That’s not it," she whispered. "Why are you here? If – if you’re caught, I – "

"I won’t be. I can only be here for a single night, but that’s all that I need – and I intend to stay for as long as I can. Rimu, you’ve been alright, haven’t you? I mean, since I had to leave Kamui Kotan, at least..."

It wasn’t much use trying to hide the fact, was it? He’d find out about what had happened sooner or later... "Shizu, after you left... something did happen. I had to leave home because of it (I know you didn’t want me to, but I had to go) and I took Sis with me... but she hasn’t been well at all. You can hear her now – can’t you?" Rimururu lifted her head slightly off from his chest, and Shizumaru’s eyes shifted to the right, listening in for the older Ainu’s cries – soft, but earsplitting in the agony contained within. "Kamui Kotan was – was – "

"Rimu, what happened? Was it Yuga?" He gripped her shoulders tightly, forcing her to look up at him. Kamui Kotan was the closest thing he’d ever gotten to a true home, somewhere where he was accepted and felt like he might actually belong... and he remembered the vision he saw, tied to one of the Pillars of Hell, seeing the burnt remains of the village held dear in his soul; the ashes all that was left of people he had started to reach out to – and he had to know if it had really happened; if it hadn’t been just a vision – "... The village was burned to the ground, wasn’t it? And it was Yuga, if anyone, right?"

Rimururu’s eyes flared open in shock. "How could you know that? You wouldn’tve been anywhere near to see it happen – "

Shizumaru didn’t respond, but held Rimururu tighter while his mind dwelled upon the turn of events that – for better or worse – had been one of the things he had faced in his life before. Why didn’t I sense it? - Rather, why didn’t you sense it, Ameki? We should’ve been able to feel that kind of thing, especially if Yuga was the one behind it!

You wake me up just so you can fling accusations for what your own heart was blocking itself from? Neither you or I could’ve ever sensed that; not with all of the rain fogging everything up.

The rain blocked our senses... he was
waiting for me to leave just so he could –

Seems as much to me. Try not to get too mad; it’s the only night you have with her, after all. Yuga didn’t touch her nor her sister – so I don’t quite see what you ought to be worked up about.

That’s not the point, Ameki, it’s that it was needless, and brutal, and I was starting to think of it almost as a home –

And how many other villages were attacked the same way? How many of those people thought they had a home too? It’s obvious the target of his attack was that girl, being that she’s one of the few who can fight him... and she’s still alive; you’re holding her right now. By all means, if you love her, you should be grateful she escaped.

... You don’t get it at all.

I must not, then. I suppose I’m just too much of an optimist for your tastes.

That... would depend on the definition,
Shizumaru’s eyes had been pursed in anger as he spoke to Ameki, and it was something that Rimururu had seen time before – so she knew almost instinctively when the conversation hadn’t taken a good turn. Her eyes, once she brought her head up and looked back up into his own, were drawing him back from his anger and pulling him back towards the present, where she was patiently waiting for him – now that she’d regained her composure (or what of it she had, being a tomboy). "Forgive me, Rimu... I just don’t know what to do about all of this. If I’dve known that something like that would’ve happened, I wouldn’tve left at all..."

"That would’ve been worse," she shook her head. "He would’ve captured you as well if you’d stayed... and then where would we be? There were survivors, a lot of them... Kamui Kotan can always be rebuilt; you know that."

"That it was destroyed in the first place is enough cause to want revenge," Shizumaru laid his head down on hers, closing his eyes and letting out a low, cold breath of air. Somehow, it seemed, already seeing the pain before his eyes softened the blow, and it was easier to swallow – although the sugar wasn’t any sweeter. Rimururu sighed contentedly, and he half-wondered why, until he realized his hands were instinctively kneading her back. Maybe it was a reflex action, he didn’t know; but it put his mind off of Kamui Kotan and back to where it ought to have been.

"You still didn’t tell me," she murmured, pressing her head to his heart (despite the bloodstains), "what you came here for. It wasn’t simply to see me, I don’t think... and I doubt you would come without good reason, knowing the risk in it. All of this blood – I can’t imagine what you had to go through to reach me, but I don’t know if it was really worth the trouble if you weren’t safe – "

"... In a sense, I was. It was far safer than staying here, anyway. ... I went to the trouble for you – since I wasn’t sure how else I could make sure you were still okay..." he trailed off, feeling an all-too-familiar blush rise on his face (something that he hadn’t felt for quite some time). "I thought it was the least I could try to do for you. If you had been hurt when Kamui Kotan was – you know... I don’t know what I would’ve done – "

"You don’t need to feel guilty for what you couldn’t stop. Even if you had been there, the end result, I’m sure, would’ve been the same either way. Shizu..." she reached up for his face, bringing it up so she could see his eyes – still weary, but they were intent on her as they ever were. "What were you trying to do for me? Show me... if you can."

Shizumaru took a hold of the hand that she’d reached up with, and brought up his other hand to close her eyelids, gently. She remained patient while he looked at what he’d been holding in his hand, and she said nothing while she felt it slip over her finger and rest snug at the knuckle. When his fingers at last brushed over her cheek, she knew that she could look – and she found her eyes laying on a ring laden with beautiful gemstones of all colors, glistening brighter than a rainbow even though there was no light in the tent. The feeling she’d had before, that of the small sense of peace that she had when she was with Shizumaru, came rushing back as strong as the fiercest wind or the most powerful waterfall... and in that instant, she knew what horrors he had seen, what torture his mind had gone through, what aching trials had happened to his body, and felt so completely overwhelmed by it. "I... what you went through to get this, I – I don’t – "

"I don’t care if you don’t think you’re worth such a thing. I wouldn’tve done it if I didn’t think you were," he stared intently at her, while she held her breath – he brought up her hand and kissed the ring, letting her relax slightly. "I can bear it because I know I saved you. No..." He trailed off, thinking of a better way to phrase the last words.

"But I’m not - "

"Because I love you."

She couldn’t argue that point easily.

Shizumaru’s bloodied fingers reached back to Rimururu’s face again, resting against her cheek softly – she closed her eyes and let her head relax against his touch, finding it impossible to deny his motives or his heart. When she opened her eyes again and looked back to his face, still stained with all of the blood of the Lord of Hell, she noticed that there were more streaks through the ochre – his tears were falling again. His fingers cupped around her chin again, and he leant forward to give her a kiss, one that tasted of blood and life, and carried with it the pain of loss, the agony of sorrow – as well as the warmth of love. How long they carried on there, neither really knew (or really cared, for that matter; given the tension laying thick in the air), but soon enough, Shizumaru’s other hand drifted suspiciously to the loose leather strings that held Rimururu’s shirt-vest on tightly.

"There was something else I wanted to give you tonight," he whispered in her ear, loosely pulling on the strings, and Rimururu’s response was to touch her hand to the skin of his chest – bloodied as it was – and brush away the collar of his kimono jacket to expose even more pale flesh; a milky white compared to the skin that had been stained red in the heat of battle. "Let me do that."

"The least thanks I can give," Rimururu smiled slyly.

--

"Shizumaru-san?"

It was only a little while after he had dealt the final blow, or so it felt to him – time could’ve skipped by in millenia and he wouldn’tve noticed. There hadn’t been much to grab his attention aside from the Muramasa, but there wasn’t need for anything else to do so – merely focusing on the blade was all that he needed to do. The fierce battle between himself and his shadow and the even bloodier bout with himself, the four others, and the Lord of Hell, were all darkened by one thing: the sword that lay in his hands before him. Anyone who had ever truly wielded the sword before could say they hadn’t meant to get out of control, and that would be true, to some measure, since it was the blade that was controlling them and not their mind – but to have actually taken the step to have gone and used the sword, knowing full well the risks of it... there was no one to blame for what had happened to Shizumaru than himself.

If no one else had seen what had happened to him, that was probably for the better – he wasn’t sure he needed a pogrom on his heels, trying to exterminate him. If not a demon by heart, was he now by mind? The Muramasa had completely consumed him in those moments... just as it had to Zack Ebony so long ago, just as the katana of the same name corrupted Mesdoram Elmdor in the same way, just as it had for every single other owner who had used the blade before. Ukyo had fully warned him of the dangers of such a sword, and even still, when the bloody savior came to him against an angel, he had used it anyway...

Odd then that the Muramasa, for him, almost had gone full-circle – first to defeat an angel, then to defeat the Lord of Hell... it seemed almost poetic, in a sickening sense. What other circles would it lead him to? What more did the blade set out for him on the path he would be forced to take by its steel? ... Who would it strike next? Shizumaru felt as weak as he’d ever been – like the young boy who had stayed diligently through Ukyo in his final days; never certain of things, always wavering between one thing or the other, unable to make a final decision unless he had to – but overall, he simply felt weak, as if the Muramasa had sucked away his integrity instead of his blood. If there had been anyone he would’ve wanted to approach about the feeling he had within him, it was Zack, but – the best he could manage, for that, was a braid that constantly tickled his face.

His first sword – Ou Haraeno Maga Kami Shizumaru. It felt like he hadn’t used it in ages... which would’ve likely been true; the Muramasa had been determined as anything else to cleave new flesh and drink strange blood. Regardless, it felt like he’d abandoned an old friend, as he reached out for the two braids that still hung from the nodachi’s tassle, falling into a familiar comfort. His finger twisted around the black strands, pleading for some kind of answer to his questions, or even just something to make his heart ache not so damned much –

Got you too, kid? Ahh... look at me, I lived, and I’ve still got all the girls, don’t I? That’s the way the sword is, you know – it’ll hit you sooner or later. Just a matter of time until it does. It’s not time for you to let go of that blade yet, though – you’ll know when it’s the right time. Wait for it... maybe it’ll go back to me; wouldn’t that be a hoot?

Somehow the words weren’t what he’d been hoping for. If only he could really talk to him about it to his face, and not have to rely on the intuition of a braid of hair, his heart might not shake and his tears would actually stop -

"... Shizumaru-san?"

- They had to for the moment, anyway; he’d only just realized that someone was calling for him. He turned his head, knowing that the clear streaks from his eyes and through the blood would show that he definitely had a weak spot in his mind – though perhaps it was lucky for him that the girl who was calling after him knew exactly the sort of doubts he was having. Nova’s shy, wary smile had faded quickly into surprise, and then into confusion, once she saw what kind of state Shizumaru had put himself in, but even so, he managed to return what smile she’d had before. "Nova-chan? Ah... you’re going to leave soon, aren’t you?" he asked, sheathing the Muramasa (and feeling his body shudder as he did).

"I wanted to see you before I did, though," Nova’s eyes were twinkling, blind to - or, perhaps, ignoring what corruption from the sword she saw in front of her. "Not just to say goodbye, of course, but... I wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done for me. I never thought that I’d meet someone with a darkness like mine..."

"Where I come from, they’re unfortunately all too common. Even so – I’m touched you said I’ve done so much for you, but I don’t know if I’ve really done anything remarkable. I suppose Tachibana-san felt the exact same way when I told him that, didn’t he..." Shizumaru drifted off into a minor thought at the end, recalling groves of pink sakura trees and the last moments he had with the man – the very last gift that he had been given, and the only one that [i ]he[/i] could give. "Almost as if things are circling back on me, now."

"Maybe they will for me too, someday," Nova blushed just slightly. "You know - you were the first person I could ever ask about... that kind of thing. I didn’t know I wasn’t the only one with a past of darkness and I didn’t know that I could ever redeem myself for it. That demon in your heart – I fought him in those dark streets with Sir Cyan, and I nearly got myself killed, but even through those eyes I could see you... and I knew that it was still possible not to have to give into such things. I knew I didn’t have to let myself be what my past made me. Even though you’re a demon, you never live the life of one... and I find that quite honorable."

Shizumaru’s eyes fell to the red and black hilt of the Muramasa, and he wondered if Nova really was queued into the irony of the situation or not. "It isn’t so much what I try to be, as much as what circumstances I grew up in – but even so, falling back on Ameki would, by all means, bring me no small amount of attention, and the more of that I get... the more people who know that I am a demon. Being demure makes it easier on me."

"Whatever the motive, I still find it honorable," Nova gave a nod of confidence, while her idle hands instinctively twirled the end of her hair braid. "But, during that last battle with the Lord of Hell, I – well... I couldn’t see that gentle look and I thought maybe something had gone wrong with me. You didn’t..." she cut off slowly, noticing how Shizumaru’s eyes had suddenly turned away from her, refusing to look. "... And now you’re telling me that not even you can stop yourself from falling back on that darkness? For all the strength you have, you couldn’t resist one more extra bit?!"

"Nova-chan, it wasn’t like that at all," Shizumaru sighed, brushing a hand through his hair with a deep sigh. "I might show you what caused me to become so insane, but I’m not going to risk the sword controlling me again and make me hunt down someone I care for this time. The blood on the Muramasa has all but dried – it will lust for more, and as long as it wants me to wield it, I’m powerless to that cause. If I sound harsh, I apologize," he paused, noticing the frightened look that had washed over Nova’s face instantly, "but you must understand. It’s not easy for me to deal with such things... I still fear that one morning I shall wake up and I won’t be human anymore. You know it, I’m sure?"

"... Yes, I do," Nova had been holding her breath in nervous fear, but let it out when Shizumaru asked his question. "I’m scared Lady Debonair will find me again and won’t let go of me the next time – I’m afraid of everyone hating me for being who I am... and I didn’t know what I’d do until I saw how you live, and how you deal with your own heart’s shadow. I’m not a bad person – I just want everyone to see me for who I am... not what I am!" She threw her hand to the side angrily, an extension of the feeling in her heart that she had admitted. "Can’t everyone look at each other like that? Lives like ours wouldn’t have to be this way if people could see past appearance..."

"That would be nice, wouldn’t it." His response wasn’t a question. Too many years of stigma and strife, apparently, had given the demon hunter a streak of cynicism when discussing the human wall of prejudice. "I don’t sound hopeful for a day like that, and I know I can’t believe in such a thing – forgive me. It simply doesn’t matter to me as much as it used to, these days. There are already so many in my life who never let it stand in the way of knowing me, and those are the ones who matter to my heart in the end. It’s easier in these tournaments to find them, of course; there aren’t many who can sense Ameki until he’s making a bother of himself, but even when I’m back home, it doesn’t matter to the people who care. My sensei, my best friend... and, er – " his face turned a slight shade of pink, noticeable only if you’d been there to see it turn the color, "... My girl."

"Mine’s the same way," Nova nodded. "No one else would ever come close to me, except for Hikaru, because she saw me for more than I was. It’s just like you said – no one knew for the better when I came along with Ralph... so I know that it’s possible to be known for me and not anything else. I never imagined that I’d actually meet someone who knew exactly the way I felt, though..."

She was beaming, wearing a smile on her face as she looked on at Shizumaru, waiting anxiously for his response, though he never did give one in the way that he had expected – he was as silent as his name implied. After a time, though, he stood to his feet, holding something in his hand (Nova couldn’t see what it was), and turned to her with his gentle eyes. "Your Cephiro... you did say it was weak right now, but it would be able to rebuild and sustain new life, yes?" There was a twinkle in his gaze as he asked his question; a little mischievous one, almost.

"Well, that was some time ago... Cephiro’s managed to build itself back. It ought to only become stronger after this," Nova told him, curious as always about what he was planning on. "Why do you ask?"

"I wanted to make sure this would still grow."

Nova felt a slight warmth sweep across her face when Shizumaru took her hand, anxiously craning to see what exactly he was doing with it, and when she felt him place something in the middle of her palm and fold her fingers back around it, she looked with a beating heart to see what it was – and... "... A seed? What’s it for?"

"A connection," he gave a weak smile. "You remind me of myself when I was younger, and at that time, the only thing that had given me hope when faced with my demon was this pouch of seeds. I told you about Tachibana Ukyo, didn’t I? The lock of hair from my sword," he tugged on it to illustrate his point, " – his last words, and these seeds are all that are left of him. He guided me when I had no one left to lean on, and for that reason, I won’t let his memory die. I’ve been taking these and planting them wherever I can... and I give them to those who I know will plant them where I can’t go. If you want to thank me, Nova-chan, you may take care of that seed, and that will be the least I need."

Nova closed her fingers back around the seed, and closed her eyes in acknowledgement. Neither of the two did anything for a moment more, until Nova opened up her face again, with a little grin on her lips. "I’ll do that – but I want to give you something more, so that you don’t forget me, either," she said, reaching around her neck and pulling off the small amulet she wore – a brilliantly shining image of the sun, in glittering gold and polished to its absolute finest. Nova placed the amulet in Shizumaru’s hand, where he was about to push it back to her, not wanting her to give up something so precious like that, but –

"I can give it up because I know that you’ll take care of it," Nova said with a confident nod. "And also because I know that you won’t ever forget me if you keep that with you. You don’t have to wear it... but I don’t want you to just lose it or throw it away. Would you do that for me?" her red eyes were almost begging for him to say yes. "Please?"

"If that’s truly what you want me to do," Shizumaru bowed his head and wrapped his fingers around the golden amulet, as Nova looked on with eager eyes and a bright smile. "Then I will cherish it as the sun itself, and I’ll think of you every time I see my face reflected in it."

"That’s exactly what I wanted to hear," she said, beaming.

A knock on the wall to the side of them told both Nova and Shizumaru that there was a visitor for either them, or one of them only – and it turned out to be the latter, as Amethyst was leaning against the doorway with a faint smile. "Sorry to interrupt, but I daresay Shizumaru was getting slightly anxious to leave, weren’t you? You shouldn’t do that yet... I have something for you, after all. Would you care to see, or shall I just drop it into oblivion...?"

"I’d better go, then," Nova nodded to him, craning up to give him a quick kiss on the cheek (despite the blood). "I’ll plant it, don’t worry. ... Maybe someday you’ll be able to see how far it’s grown?"

"Perhaps someday," he whispered with a faint smile. "And I’ll bring the amulet, as well."

"Because you’ll always have it on you," Nova giggled. "... Good-bye, Shizumaru-san. I won’t forget..."

"Nor will I. Sayonara, Nova-chan," he bowed to her, as the Knight left the room, certainly far more changed than anything else could have taught her or shown her before. Shizumaru sighed deeply, looking at the golden amulet in his palm and squeezing it softly. "I won’t see her again, will I." It wasn’t a question as much as a vocal conclusion, and one that was aching to face. "... None of them I’ll meet again, will I. That’s why they give me these things and I give them a part of me, so that I can keep at least something of them that I won’t forget. You, Amethyst-san," his gentle eyes turned to the magician, who perked up a bit and sprung off from the wall, "I know you were in far more of these tournaments than I could ever dream to be in. Did you ever... get close to anyone?" He wasn’t sure exactly where his mind was leading him, but Amethyst seemed to take the question in stride fairly well.

"That tends to happen when you’ve got such recurrent flows, I guess. The temptation of a wish, the promise of battle, the microscopic chance to see someone you’ve met before – all a part of it. You came to have your heart’s desire granted, mostly, though you were also doing most of your home an apparently large favor by not being present. Ralph tells me that your home universe, as it is, is extremely unstable – are you sure you want to go back there, knowing what risks are inherent if you return?"

"My entire life has been plagued by evil. I don’t see what much more of a threat I should pose now that the situation has surely become worse. Even Gohan... there’s not a doubt in my mind that she’s left the place we were staying by now. Gone back to the only home she has, and I’ve got to do the same. It’s not the most stable place, no, but it’s the only thing I have. I’d be right in thinking that the space around us changes drastically after we’ve been to one of these tournaments, wouldn’t I? I couldn’t imagine what yours would be like."

"Well, really, it’s all very keen now, now that you’ve taken care of the Lord of Hell," Amethyst cleared his throat, and Shizumaru looked to the side a bit innocently, all too aware that he was still covered in the blood of that battle. "That brings me to my point, though – your heart’s desire. That was, I believe, from what Ralph’s told me, to keep the one you love safe from harm, correct? That can be managed."

"How did you know – " Shizumaru felt a bit of a choke in his throat when he heard Amethyst tell him what his heart’s desire was; not necessarily from what it was, but that how Amethyst could talk about what he had regarded as the utmost of intimate affairs so casually. "... Never mind that question. How exactly did you manage to do that, then?"

"This," Amethyst held up a small ring, laced with the rarest gems of magic one could find. Shizumaru didn’t have too much of an eye for critiquing such stones (even though he knew that the diamond he’d received from Haru was beyond compare), but he was instantly taken back by the beauty of the ring and how it shone so brilliantly of rainbow colors. Amethyst held it out for him, and when Shizumaru gingerly reached out to take it with his fingers, he could feel that the ring was what he had fought for immediately – there was no other prize that could make him feel so content and relieved, and none other that could replace the feeling of having secured such a thing for his love. "That’s a ring from... well, it’s almost literally from all over the multiverse, I’d bet. The gems have special charms placed in them, and combined they form an impenetrable barrier. If there’s anything that can get through that thing, it’s probably only MacBauer, hah!" he laughed.

"MacBa-what?" Shizumaru smiled, holding the ring in his fingers, letting himself be mesmerized by the rainbow glitters and shine. He could feel the power it held, even if the ring itself seemed fairly insignificant – his Dewprism ring couldn’t possibly match the sort of power that the one he held in his hands did (Mint wouldn’t be pleased about that, he was sure). Maybe there was even a shard of Dewprism on it... but knowing Mint, it probably wasn’t so. "... It’s a very beautiful ring, Amethyst-san," was all he could really say to address its make. "It’ll fit her correctly, I’m sure? It looks as if it will..." he held it up, comparing its width to one of his own fingers (even though his were bigger than Rimururu’s, he could still try to guess).

"It ought to," Amethyst nodded. "Ralph made sure to check that it was a perfect fit down to the nanometer. It’d be a rather snug fit if you were to wear it, but on her, it should slide on like water. Don’t suppose there’s anything more I need to do around here, then, hm?"

"Amethyst-san, wait a moment," Shizumaru called him back, hiding away the ring and bringing out his leather pouch of seeds again. "If you would let me... I want to give you something back in return, for what you’ve done for me. It’s more of a favor you can do me more than anything, but even so, I’d still like to give this to you. ... Did you remember Tachibana Ukyo? It may have been some time ago for you, but I think if you saw him once, you would remember the man," Shizumaru’s face turned just a smidgen pink at the memory.

"... I remember him, yep. Mostly around you, as I recall, though I do remember him," Amethyst’s eyes turned back to Shizumaru, inquisitive as they always were. "What do you need me to do for you?"

"Plant this," Shizumaru held out an apple seed in his palm for the magician. "I know you were not familiar with Tachibana-san, nor me, for that matter, but even so... you’ve been through far more of these than I could possibly hope to fathom. You are no stranger to death, I’m sure – you will understand why, then, I give the seed to you, to save the memory of a man who died back then," He dropped the apple seed into Amethyst’s palm (who looked stunned to learn that Ukyo had died), solemnly. "These are the seeds left from the apples he used to carry with him. I’ll understand if you don’t want to plant it, but – "

"I will, don’t worry," Amethyst nodded. "... You know, that was something else that Ralph commented on to me, when we were discussing how to properly address your heart’s desire – he mentioned that there were other feelings just as strong for some others. Miss Alma, for one, as well as Zack Ebony... and, of course, Ukyo Tachibana, and he most profoundly at that. You want to see him again desperately, am I right?"

"... I... to some degree, yes, but I – " he stammered, feeling his face grow uncomfortably warmer. Of course he wanted to see Ukyo again, hold a needle for him or his body when he needed it, but there wasn’t any way to do so – the dead were dead, and Shizumaru knew that despite how badly he wanted to see him again, even for a minute, Ukyo would be disappointed in him for bringing him back to a life that had ended. "He... Tachibana-san wouldn’t want... want that sort of a life back, I don’t think..."

"That’s not quite how I meant it," Amethyst smirked, taking another close look at the apple seed he was now holding in his fingers. "You did win this tournament, after all, and all of the others who fought against the Hell Lord are getting something. Call it... a favor from me," he said, lifting his lidded eyes to a rightly shocked Shizumaru. "To set you apart from the rest, just a bit."

"But I don’t want Tachibana-san to be alive again if he doesn’t want it!" Shizumaru protested. "There wouldn’t be any meaning in his memory... all of these would be worthless!" he motioned to the sack of seeds, trying to make Amethyst understand – and while the magician did sympathize, he explained his thought a different way.

"It wouldn’t be bringing him back to life for a short time – it would be like you dying so that you could meet him in that way. You’d be brought back, of course, back to your home universe. My gift to you. I owe you one, after all," he smiled.

Shizumaru’s heart was fleeting with the prospect of meeting Ukyo again, but he eventually caved in and nodded to Amethyst, saying that he would do that to satisfy the desire. "It might not be the best thing to do, but then again... no one can honestly say they’ve never made a wrong decision in their life. ... Thank you for doing this," he bowed.

"Like I said, I owe you one. If I screw this up, at least you’ll have one heart’s desire filled, eh?" he laughed, trying to make light of the situation (though Shizumaru seemed too nervous to think of anything as amusing). "Take care, will you? I don’t suppose that’ll mean much, but somehow I don’t think you’re quite finished with these tournaments just yet. I have to give you my honest congratulations, though – you did something that I have not once managed."

"What’s that?"

"You won."

--

"... Shizumaru-kun?!"

"It’s been a while, it has. It is an honor to see you again, Tachibana-san..."

"If you are here, then, that can only mean you have died somehow. I cannot imagine what fate you met, but to meet it so young... a pity indeed."

"I always figured I’d die young. I am only here for a short while – I will be revived soon. I wanted to see you... and I took the chance, however foolish you may think me for it. Is it any indication of my affection for you that I would die for the chance to see you again?"

"A selfish sort of affection... but a powerful indication. Such chances could be better granted to lovers, no?"

"I knew I wouldn’t get by without a quip like that."

"... I have wished to see you, as well. Not no less to knowing that death is a lonely place, but I was not sure if what I taught you would stick in your mind. That, and I have often wondered how well you were growing up... dwelling on what sort of man you would become, how much skillfully you would have progressed, seeing what maiden or otherwise you chose to love. I think my picture of what you’ve become wasn’t all that far off."

"I try to be humble – "

"Easy enough for someone like you."

"Harder than you’d think! I work as a demon hunter these days... still a wanderer. Sometimes I travel with a maiko from Kyoto, when her own demon needs to be calmed..."

"What is her name?"

"Saishoku Gohan."

"... I have heard of the girl, I think. She did not have that name when she came up in the conversation, but the man said that he had raised a girl with white hair and red eyes in his dojo, and that she had run off to join the geisha in Kyoto when she heard he was in debt."

"That would be her, yes. She’s the closest thing I have to a best friend these days."

"... What is that sword?"

"That, ah... you cannot tell?"

"If it is the sword I think it is, then I fear that it is the reason you have grown so powerful. I feel your strength surpassing anything I have ever known... and I also feel the wake of the sword. If I were to venture a guess as to its name, I would be right, wouldn'’t I?"

"Only if you guess the name correctly."

"That is the Muramasa; I am sure of it. Why do you still hold control over that blade? I knew you had used the Muramasa, but that you have kept it even after you needed it is a foolish thing."

"... I could not let it go. You understand the call of a sword as well as I ... you must realize that the Muramasa has not fulfilled its purpose with me yet. It does not even lust for my own blood, even though it has driven me insane at least once. It is impossible for me to say when I can give up the Muramasa – only I will know when the time is right."

"... You
have changed. The boy I knew would hardly have been able to speak so confidently about himself in that manner."

"Ah, in – in some ways, I haven’t..."

"... Come closer, Shizumaru-kun. Let me see your eyes..."

"Why for? There’s nothing special about them..."

"There’s at least one thing I remembered about them; they were the most innocent and gentle I had seen in years... but those, too, have changed. The gentleness is still there, but..."

"... But?"

"Two things I notice. The first, and one I suppose is the less embarrassing of the two, is that your demon has indeed awakened."

"Ameki, yes. That was a bit earlier than when I received the Muramasa."

"Has anyone once taught you how to deal with that awakening? I do not mean how to repress it and silence it... but how to accept it as a part of yourself and work through what pain it causes?"

"Now that you mention it, I don’t believe even Haohmaru-sensei approached me on that point. ... Are you going to show me how, Tachibana-san?"

"I cannot
show you, Shizumaru-kun. I am not a demon. I can certainly tell you what may make your transitions easier on your body and mind, though..."

"You – you can do that?! Oh, Tachibana-san – "

"That sounds more like the boy I knew, heh! What I do not think you realize about your demon yet is that it is not exactly a singular soul in your body – it is, to a fault, based on and linked with yours, mutually. I assume that when you relinquish control of your body to the demon, that its transformations are considerably faster than yours?"

"Yes, that’s one of my problems. There’s another, that is... ah..."

"Decidedly more sexual, if your blush means what it did before."

"... Yes, it is – I mean the other problem, not – not the blushing. It fed off of my memories when it was still dormant, and that is why I could not remember my past for so long. He wants to give them back to me, but... that involves doing - "

"You’re still afraid of it to a degree, then. You’re holding back and that’s what’s hurting you now, not the demon itself, in both of those matters. Even if your body has been pushed to the brink of exhaustion, you should be able to transform quickly and easily. As well, you would not need to have such encounters with your demon over the issue of your memories if you allow yourself to trust it more."

"Tachibana-san... he’s rather reckless. I’m always worried that he’ll go and try to do something horrible when he’s in control, and the last time he was, he nearly did do something unspeakable..."

"You cannot help what he does, just as he cannot help what you do. He realizes this, and even though it is obvious he uses the fact to his advantage, it cannot be helped. You are not going to be able to control what he does, do you understand?"

"Yes, Tachibana-san."

"In regards to the second matter, you also have to trust him with what he is doing. The relationship should be mutual by this time, not parasitic; one should not feel that the other is feeding off of him, and you both need to benefit – you with your memories, him with his lust satisfied. You share the same body... he is not going to harm you when he still has to use it. He feels what pain you feel, what pleasure you feel, and the same goes for you. Do you understand that?"

"I do, yes. ... I’ll try to do that, then. He’s just so reckless, though..."

"You cannot help what he does."

"I know that, but I always fear that he might hurt someone I truly care about. The last time he was out, he very nearly did."

"Someone you truly care about... such as the girl who has your heart?"

"?! How – how do you know about that?!"

"That’s how you lost your innocence."

"... She and I haven’t... haven’t done it often. Only twice, and recently at that. How could you tell...?"

"Twice enough. To answer your last question, I know far too well what the eyes of a man in love look like... I have seen my reflection countless times, after all. I would be a hypocrite if I tried to tell you off at the age you are that you needn’t dabble around in affairs like love, but do be careful. ... She is someone I know, isn’t she?"

"Rimururu."

"I thought as much. The dream you had surely would’ve made you feel guilty enough to seek the girl out and apologize. I think, however, something would have happened to bring you two closer...?"

"There was a night some years back when I had a duel against Gohan-san... Rimu-chan was with me, watching, along with Haohmaru-sensei. Gohan’s demon awakened during that fight and nearly stirred up mine in response – Haohmaru-sensei had to drive her away. He spent the night afterwards watching over Gohan, Rimu-chan stayed with me... she said it didn’t matter to her if I was a demon. After that, I don’t know what we were thinking, but we just started to kiss..."

"Fitting for someone like you. You used to be afraid to be touched by anyone lest your demon awaken, and now you find that you can experience love and friendship as any other person can. ... You certainly have changed..."

"I had to stop running from my fears, is all."

"And that’s exactly how you’ve changed."

"... I suppose you’re right."

"Shizumaru-kun."

"What is it, Tachibana-san...?"

"Come closer. I can’t see you very well."

"Alright. ... I feel rather like I’m on top of you, Tachibana-san."

"That’s fine. As long as you’re close enough to hear..."

"I ought to be close enough."

"Then you’ll be sure not to forget my words.


Ever-flowing time...
The sapling young now grown strong,
Spreading seed afar."

"Strong the sapling, young the plant;
Still new to the world it fears."

"You’ve been practicing."

"Not really, no. I never met another man who was as skilled at poetry and aware of his surroundings as you, so I never had any chance to develop the skill."

"You can play all you want, Shizumaru-kun..."

"I’m too old for things like that."

"No sense of humor?"

"Now
that one was mean."

"That answers that one, at least. Mm... I have missed you, Shizumaru-kun. I cannot deny that seeing you once more has made me a fair sight happier."

"And I just as much. I would have given nearly everything to see you again..."

"Those are the sorts of words that ought to be reserved for your Rimu-chan."

"She gets an ‘everything’, you get a ‘nearly everything’. Never mind the fallacies, though... you can’t imagine what it’s like to see again someone you thought was dead and meant so much to you; you just can’t..."

"I do know what it’s like to see a man come before me who I last saw as one who had just learned how to be one. You can’t imagine what that’s like, now can you?"

"I don’t suppose so."

"Shizumaru-kun..."

"Mm... your hands were softer than I’d remembered."

"I have not been coughing as much as I used to; certainly not as much as you knew me to. Blood is rough on the skin."

"It’s been so long since we were this close... if I could take you with me – "

"Never. My time came, and it would be foolish to revive me into a universe that has no need of me anymore."

"I know, I know, but it’s just so – so – "

"... There isn’t any need to shed tears over me."

"You’re so impossible sometimes, is why I am. I know you don’t want to go back, but I want to see you so badly at times, and my fingers yearn to touch you once more..."

"Then savor what you have been given in this small space of time."

"Oh, I am. I know I cannot stay forever, and just the chance to see you again is more than anything I could have hoped for. However much I want to be by your side once more, there are far more who need me alive and I cannot deny that."

"You never did tend to care much about what you mattered, in the spectrum of things."

"I generally don’t matter to those things."

"I can tell that something is affecting our world, important enough to where you were drawn into the affairs once more. More powerful than Amakusa or Zankuro..."

"Very much so, yes. If you were there to help – "

"I cannot."

"... You never would accept to fight again, no."

"Shizumaru-kun..."

"Just because you’re dead doesn’t mean you have to let yourself think you’re worthless!"

"Shizumaru-kun! Calm down. I am not meant to be fighting this battle. If I were, I would still be alive. You will be taken back to Japan in a short while, I am sure, and even though I will not be with you in person, know that it is not reasonable for me to return when I have no role to portray in this drama."

"Yes, Tachibana-san. Just..."

"What is it, Shizumaru-kun?"

"It... it seems pointless to ask, I am sure, but... may I have one of your apples?"

"Why do you need one? The dead are not often hungry..."

"You remember Mesdoram Elmdor, I’m sure of it. He kept the seeds from one of your apples, and entrusted me to spread them as far as I could – "

"The Silver Noble... that would be like him to do so. You may have one, yes. Do take care of it, won’t you? I haven’t many left on me."

"I will. Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Tachibana-san – thank you."

"I suppose I didn’t realize before just how attached you were to me."

"As close as my heart will let me be. I could never let go of you, not after you taught me so much..."

"Not to the point of obsession, certainly."

"It only seems that way because I’ve been granted a chance to see you again."

"... You’re fading."

"I know. My time here isn’t long, now."

"Then you will remember my advice and my words, Shizumaru-kun. What power does hell have if one cannot imagine heaven?"

"You’re telling me to forget about Rimu?"

"... I didn’t mean it that way, no."

"Ah, of course..."

"You know me better than that."

"Don’t I."

"... mm. It has been an honor to see how you have grown, Shizumaru-kun. If I ever see you again... may it not be in such a selfish gesture again."

"Only if it pertains to you. ... I shall miss you."

"As the rose blooms fall,
Life begins anew with hope
and promise of dreams."

"New flowers await me there
I shall never forget you."

"... Goodbye, Shizumaru-san."

"Farewell - Tachibana-sensei."


--

Morning.

Shizumaru was not there beside Rimururu when she woke up, but after their night together and his gift in the ring that he had given her – she was content to know that he had come for her, even though she was not still in his arms. Nakoruru wasn’t moaning as loudly as she had been; Rimururu figured she was asleep. The faint smell of burnt leaves and grass rushed to her nose, and while Rimururu thought to check on it later, for now, she still laid in her bed, softly caressing her skin and trying to replicate the tender and gentle touch that Shizumaru had given her that night before.

Of course, it didn’t work; no one could copy such intimacy except for the person who’d given it in the first place. Even though by now Shizumaru was surely miles away, she felt utterly peaceful and content – such as the feeling goes, when two lovers belong to each others’ hearts. She would see him again in due time, as surely as nightfall, as quickly as rainfall, as more certain than nature. He would be there and she would be waiting for him, no matter what happened to either of them. They would be together once more, of that she was sure.

Rimururu curled up under her sheet, looking again at the ring he had given her; easily the most beautiful thing she had ever received or seen in her life. She didn’t know what sort of trials he had gone through to bring such a gift to her, but it marked devotion enough to the point where she couldn’t leave him – no one else could go to such lengths to bring anything similar to her and survive it all. Rimururu hugged the hand with her ring on it to her bare chest, smiling contentedly.

"Aishiteruze," she whispered. "I love you."

The smell of burnt leaves touched her again, and she fell asleep to its cascade.




--

~owari.
_________________
SHINGO IS NOT THE MAN FOR ME

I've got a pair of lovely maracas!

Last edited by CarlyCheeese on Sun Dec 32, 1378 2:04 am; edited 19 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
CarlyCheeese
Dynamite Ero-Dancer


Joined: 02 Jul 2002
Posts: 1191
Location: Takizawa's Pants

PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

*coughshamelessbumpcough*
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
Magus
samurai pirate pimp


Joined: 28 Nov 2002
Posts: 539
Location: Humphrey's Peak

PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

a... bump?
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    RI.org Forum Index -> Epilogues All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2
Watch this topic for replies
 
Delete this topic Move this topic Lock this topic Split this topic 
Jump to:  
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You can edit your posts in this forum
You can delete your posts in this forum
You can vote in polls in this forum
You can moderate this forum

Go to Administration Panel


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group